Non-cyclic oscillating drive mechanism for target traps



Jan. 14, 1969 c. H. BROWN 3,421,491

NON-CYCLIC OSCILLATING DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TARGET TRAPS Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet of a INVENTOR. CHRISTIAN H. BROWN A. TORNEYS Jan. 14, 1969 c. BRQWN 3,421,491

NON-CYCLIC OSCILLATING DRIVE MECHANISM FOR'TARGET TRAPS Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet 3 of 5 III -II- l INVENTOR. r0 i CHRISTIAN H. BROWN N m BY H] iMAHONEY, MILLER a. RAMBO a I I ATTORNEYS C. H. BROWN Jan. 14, 1969 NON-CYCLIC OSCILLATING DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TARGET TR APS my 3 9 mm A H- n mv kw r Ii z I on mv mv wv Q Q I w 4 I -9. :9 R P z w I\\I K Filed Dec. 9, 1966 INVENTOR. CHRISTIAN H. BROWN BY MAHONE BY Y, MILLER 8 RAMBO 714M A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,421,491 NON-CYCLE: OSCILLATING DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TARGET TRAPS Christian H. Brown, 635 Rome-Hilliard Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228 Filed Dec. 9, 1956, Ser. No. 600,634) US. Cl. 1249 3 Claims Int. Cl. F41l) 3/04; F41f 7/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a non-cyclic, variable stroke, oscillating drive mechanism for a target-throwing trap in which a relatively extensible and retractable pneumatic check cylinder-piston device is employed as a coupling between a continuously operable, motor-driven crank and the oscillatory turntable of the targetthrowing trap, and wherein the cylinder-piston device functions to vary the pattern and stroke of oscillation of the turntable in a manner to render the cycle of oscillation of the trap unpredictable.

This invention relates generally to target (clay pigeon type) throwing or launching machines, and more particularly to an improved non-cyclic, oscillatory drive mechanism for such machines.

The ordinary trap used in present day trapshooting generally comprises a semi-automatic, motor-driven machine which includes a spring-actuated target-throwing arm arranged on an oscillatory turntable and frame which is oscillated by a motor-driven gear train through an angle of approximately 45 The target-throwing arm of the machine may be inclined at various angles, so as to launch targets in a generally upwardly inclined angle of flight, and the oscillating drive mechanism functions to vary the horizontal or lateral angle of flight of successively launched targets. The main purpose of the oscillating drive mechanism is to vary the horizontal angles of flight of successive targets so as to test the skill of the trapshooter in breaking targets launched or thrown at different horizontal angles. Theoretically, while the trapshooter verbally controls the instant of release of a target, he has no control over the particular angle of flight of the target and must be prepared to sight and fire upon targets launched at any give angle within the 45 angle of oscillation of the trap. However, an experienced trapshooter by prolonged observation, can become so familiar with the time cycle of oscillation of a gear-oscillated trap that he can fairly well read or predict the pattern of oscillation of the trap. This places the experienced trapshooter at an extreme and undesired advantage, in that he can time his verbal command (pull) for the release of a target with the cycle of oscillation of the trap and thereby be prepared to sight along the actual line of flight of a target at the instant of launch.

While various mechanisms and devices, such as chance wheels and variable cam drives, have been heretofore proposed for varying the cycle of oscillation of a trap between successive throws, such mechanisms or devices by and large, are either ineffective, or unnecessarily complicate the trap-oscillating mechanism and greatly increase the cost of manufacture and maintenance of traps incorporating the same.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a mechanically efiicient, yet structurally simple and economical trap-oscillating drive mechanism which functions to make the cycle and pattern of oscillation of the trap completely unpredictable even by the most experienced of trapshooters.

Patented Jan. 14, 1969 Another object is to provide a non-cyclic, oscillating drive mechanism which may be simply and economically incorporated in a target-throwing trap at the time of original manufacture thereof, or which may be attached to existing traps without extensive or expensive modifications thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traposcillating drive mechanism which incorporates a motordriven, rotary crank, and a relatively extensible and retractable pneumatic cylinder-piston linkage drivingly connected between the crank and the oscillatory base frame of the trap and operable to impart a variable pattern of oscillation to the trap upon rotation of the crank, the arrangement of the cylinder-piston linkage being such that the pattern of oscillation of the trap may be varied with each successive target launch or throw.

For a further and more detailed understanding of the present invention and the additional objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target-throwing trap embodying a non-cyclic, variable stroke, oscillating drive mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view on a somewhat larger scale showing the trap-oscillating drive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, detailed vertical sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates, by way of example, one form of target-throwing trap to which the present invention is applicable. The trap shown in FIG. 1 comprises a generally rectangular table or platform support 10, at one end of which is rigidly secured a relatively elevated, rectangular base plate 11. The base plate 11 is formed in its upper central region with a raised, annular shoulder or flange 12 (see FIG. 4) which defines on the base plate a relatively shallow, circular depression or cavity 13 for the reception and support of the lower, stationary race 14 of an annular, antifriction, thrust-type, roller bearing 15. The upper race member 16 of the thrust bearing 15 fits and is confined Within a relatively shallow, circular cavity or chamber 17 formed in the bottom surface of a generally circular disc-like turntable 18. The turntable 18 is thus supported for free rotation or oscillation about its central vertical axis by means of the roller bearing 15. The turntable 18 is further formed with a radially projecting, substantially pointed boss or indexing arm 19 whose outer pointed end is disposed in registration with a graduated angle scale 20 printed or otherwise formed on the upper surface of the base plate 11. Disposed at the opposite ends of the scale 20 are a pair of stop screws or bolts 21 which are threadedly carried in a pair of upstanding collar blocks 22 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the upper surface of the base plate 11. The stop bolts 21 are thus disposed in the path of movement of the arm 19 of the turntable and may be threadedly adjusted in the collar blocks 22 so as to determine the angular extent of oscillation of the turntable 18.

The turntable 18 is formed or otherwise provided with an upstanding pedestal-type frame 23, the main body portion of which joins the turntable in radially oflFset or eccentric relation to the central vertical axis of rotation of the turntable. The upper end of the pedestal-type frame 23 is bifurcated and pivotally supports an inclined carriage frame 24 from the forward end of which is suspended a housing 25 containing the usual spring and springcocking mechanism, not shown, for the trap. Connected with the housing 25 is an electric motor 26 which is energizable to actuate the cocking mechanism and tension the throwing spring contained in the housing 25. The trap also includes the usual target-throwing arm 27 which is carried by and extends radially outwardly from the springactuated shaft 28 of the trap.

Connected between the rearward end of the carriage frame 24 and the pedestal-type frame 23 is an adjustable turnbuckle 29 which may be adjusted in the usual manner to control the angle of inclination of the frame 24 and, consequently, the vertical angle of flight of targets thrown by the arm 27. The trap may also include an automatic target-feeding magazine, not shown, by means of which targets (clay pigeons) may be properly deposited on the throwing arm 27 after each actuation thereof. It should be here understood that the general structure and parts of the trap heretofore described are common to present day types of semiautomatic target-throwing traps, and aside from their combination with the traposcillating mechanism to be hereinafter described, such parts form no part of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the present trap-oscillating mechanism comprises a unitary electric motor 30 and right angle reduction gear drive 31 rigidly mounted on the platform 10 as by means of a supporting bracket 32 and a clamp strap 33. The reduction gear drive 31 includes a driven shaft 34 to which is drivingly connected a crank wheel 35. The wheel 35 is provided with an eccentric crank arm or shaft 36 to which is rotatively connected a ball and socket-type connector fitting 37 which provides for rotation as well as limited universal swiveling movement of the fitting 37 on the shaft 36. The fitting 37 is further formed with a screwthreaded socket into which is threaded one end of a connector rod 38. A lock nut 39 is provided on the rod 38 to hold the rod 38 against rotation after it has been properly adjusted in the socket of the fitting 37. The opposite end of the connector rod 38 is provided With a elatively rotatable female adaptor coupling 40 which is threadedly connected with a stub shaft 41 projecting axially outwardly from the rear end of a pneumatic check cylinder 42.

The cylinder 42 is formed with an axial bore or piston chamber 43 in which is slidably carried a piston 44. The ends of the cylinder 42 are closed by end caps 45 each of which is provided with a fixed, relatively restricted orifice plug 46. The orifices provided in the plugs 46 communicate directly with the opposite ends of the piston chamber 43 of the cylinder and provide for the restricted passage of air to and from the chamber 43 upon reciprocation of the piston 44 therein. The piston 44 is provided with an axially extending piston rod 47 which extends outwardly through a bushing 48 carried by the outer end cap 45 of the cylinder. The outer end portion of the rod 47 is threaded and is connected with a clevis 49. A lock nut 50 is provided on the threaded end of the rod 47 to hold the clevis 49 in properly adjusted position on the rod 47. The bifurcated end of the clevis 49 is pivotally connected, as by means of a nut and bolt 51, with the upper end of a swivel stud 52. The stud 52 is formed at its lower end with a smooth cylindrical shank 53 which is ro-tatably mounted in a socket or bore formed in an externally threaded bushing nut 54. The bushing nut 54 is threaded in a cooperatively threaded bore or socket formed in the turntable 18. Thus, the swivel stud 52 is free to turn or rotate within the bushing nut 54 upon reciprocation of the pneumatic cylinder 42 and its associated piston 44 and piston rod 47.

In operation, the motor 32 is energized to continuously drive the crank wheel 35 and thereby impart reciprocation to the pneumatic cylinder-piston linkage. As the cylinderpiston linkage reciprocates, the piston 44 and its rod 47 will move axially a relatively slight extent relative to the cylinder 42, due to the load imposed by the turntable 18 and the trap mechanism supported thereby. This relatively slight movement of the piston within the cylinder is made possible by the restricted escape and intake of air into the cylinder chamber on the opposite sides of the piston, by way of the orifice plugs 46. However, due to the restricted size of the orifices of the plugs 46, for example, 0.025 inch, coupled with the antifriction support of the turntable and the trap mechanism, the extent of movement of the piston 44 in the cylinder 42 is relatively slight and variable during the normal oscillation of the trap. However, when the trap is triggered to release and throw a target, some of the recoil force generated by the spring mechanism of the trap is transmitted to the turntable by way of the eccentrically offset pedestal frame 23, and thus tend to cause the turntable to rotate one way or the other, depending upon the relative angle of the trap with respect to the cylinder-piston linkage at the point of release of the target. These recoil forces thus cause the piston rod 47 to either extend or retract a short distance relative to the cylinder 44 and thereby lengthen or shorten the overall length of the linkage between the cr=.;nk wheel 35 and the swivel stud 52. At the same time, the pneumatic cylinder-piston-arrangement acts in a manner similar to a door check to cushion the recoil forces, but also acts to vary the effective length of the driving linkage an unpredictable amount. Thus, the pattern of osciilation of the trap will be varied slightly during the normal reciprocation of the cylinder-piston linkage and will be unpredictably varied with each successive target throw. This makes it practically impossible for even the most skilled trapshooter to predict the cycle of oscillation of the trap and, consequently, the angle of flight of a target at the time of its release from the trap.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a mechanically simple, yet efiicient and economical trap-oscillating drive mechanism which is characterized by its ability to oscillate the trap through the desired range of angularity, but in a continuously variable and unpredictable pattern.

While a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that the specific embodiment is susceptible to modification as to details of construction and design without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a target-throwing trap which includes a base, a turntable supported by said base for oscillating movement about a substantially vertical axis, and target-throwing means carried by and movable with said turntable, operation of said throwing means producing a reactive force on said turntable; that improvement which comprises a motor-driven crank; and a relatively extensible and retractable pneumatic cylinder-piston device connected between said crank and said turntable for oscillating said turntable upon rotation of said crank, said cylinder-piston device being operable in response to reactive forces generated by the operation of said target-throwing means to vary the pattern of oscillation of said turntable.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including adjustable stop means carried by said base and engageable with said turntable for limiting the extent of oscillation of said turntable.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said cylinder-piston device comprises a pneumatic check cylinder pivotally connected with said crank and provided at opposite ends thereof with relatively restricted air intake and discharge orifices, and a piston slidable in said cylinder between said orifices and having a piston rod extending outwardly from said cylinder and pivotally connected with said turntable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,284 12/1936 Winans 1249 2,328,796 9/1943 Foster 1249 2,666,424 l/l954 Foster 124-9 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. THOMAS ZACK, Assistant Examiner. 

